In Which We Are Clueless Management Stooges
Reader Eugene takes issue with our recent feature on workaholics, specifically this sentence: "While a strong work ethic is valued, a lack of balance with your personal life can ultimately work against you in the long run." He writes: I do not know what planet you are from, but your article shows how out of touch you are with the reality of life in the United States today. Working many, long hours does not indicate workaholism. Workaholism is a choice. We're totally with him on the plight of the thin-stretched recession-era employee. We've even seen a few examples in our own industry. The ensuing rant about the suckiness of businesses in general is, well, ranty, but entertaining nonetheless and not without merit. As for workaholics, they really do exist. They have some behaviors in common with the merely overworked -- e.g., hours spent on the job -- and our analysis should have controlled for motivation when addressing those behaviors. |
Comments (6)
Perhaps it is the upper management types that are the work-aholics, which of course they are free to be. The problem is they expect all their minions to do likewise, and there lies the rub. They have made work their life's priority and demand others do the same. This behavior was a driving force in the creation of the modern union. The problem is nothing new. Those seeking to expand their power base have always had little interest in the welfare of other. (Ref: Machiavelli)
Posted by Fred Stock | January 18, 2011 7:59 AM
A partenr and I have begun to compile all the "good, bad & ugly" stories we have shared over forty years in business.
It ain't pretty folk. The culprits we saw jailed in the Telecom busts, the guys and gals who went to jail for things such as Mr. Koslowsky was found guilty of and the activities of the soul-less bankers and financial wizards of the recent debacle are just examples of the uncaring, slavery-based emnployment in this century.
Some will make a lot of money, most will plod along hoping to hit a sweepstake somewhere but will probably just retire; all washed up, wrung out and a shallow husk of their (our) former selves.
Posted by Rusty Walker | January 18, 2011 11:15 AM
Slavery? Baloney.
You can go get a different job. You can start your own company. You can go live under an overpass and starve. Heck, you can even leave the whole country if you want.
All of those are free choices you are free to make. Therefore the current condition is not slavery.
"Reader Eugene" needs to get some perspective.
Posted by J.R. | January 19, 2011 8:38 AM
J.R. apparently is one of those [disparaging word] people who preach the "If I can be wealthy, everyone can be wealthy - it's a free choice." line.
What a pathetically distorted view of reality.
But then... didn't the slave drivers always assert that their slaves were slaves by choice.
Posted by J.G. | January 19, 2011 3:49 PM
Generalizations about stupid or uncaring management are on target in certain situations,but they are just that - generalizations. For those that think things are somehow different or tougher this century, you probably wouldn't have been much happier earning a living 50 years ago just before IT began to explode.
As J.R. points out everyone has options. Those of us who feel compelled to log extra hours have decided that it's better than no work or some less demanding job that pays less. I'd love to hear from someone who knows about a stimulating job that is high-paying, has great benefits and only requires 40 hours per week.
Posted by A.C. | January 19, 2011 8:58 PM
Looks like someone has stepped on the collective toes of the workaholics. And, yes, there are some people who have very, very, very limited choices. But who cares, its their fault.
Posted by C.T. | January 17, 2012 9:48 AM